Filter assembly for a dishwasher appliance

ABSTRACT

A filter assembly for filtering wash fluid in a dishwasher appliance is provided. The filter assembly includes an outer body defining an interior and an inlet port and extending along a longitudinal axis between a first upstream end and a second downstream end. The filter assembly further includes an inner body disposed radially inward of the outer body and at least partially within the interior of the outer body. The inner body defines an interior and an outlet port. The inner body includes a filter portion and a solid body portion. The filter portion positioned upstream of the solid body portion in a flow direction along the longitudinal axis. An inlet flow path defined by the inlet port is non-parallel to the longitudinal axis.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present subject matter relates generally to dishwasher appliancesand more particularly to filter assemblies for dishwasher appliances.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

During wash and rinse cycles, dishwasher appliances generally circulatea fluid through a wash chamber over articles, such as pots, pans,silverware, etc. The fluid can be, e.g., various combinations of waterand detergent during the wash cycle, or water (which may includeadditives) during the rinse cycle. Typically, the fluid is circulatedduring a given cycle using a pump. Fluid is collected at or near thebottom of the wash chamber and pumped back into the wash chamberthrough, e.g., nozzles in spray arms and other openings that direct thefluid against the articles to be cleaned or rinsed.

Depending upon the level of soil on the articles, fluids used duringwash and rinse cycles can become contaminated with soils in the form ofdebris or particles that are carried with the fluid. In order tofacilitate recirculation of the fluid through the wash chamber, it isbeneficial to filter the fluid so that relatively clean fluid is appliedto the articles in the wash chamber.

Accordingly, known dishwashers typically utilize either a pressurizedfilter system or a suction side (upstream of the pump) filter system.Known filter systems, however, have various drawbacks. For example, manyfilter systems do not filter 100% of the water flowing therethrough, inorder to prevent pump starvation. Further, may filter systems sufferfrom clogging issues due to soil becoming stagnant on the filtersthereof.

Accordingly, improved filter assemblies are desired. In particular,filter assemblies which can provide 100% filtration and reduce cloggingissues would be advantageous.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in thefollowing description, or may be apparent from the description, or maybe learned through practice of the invention.

In accordance with one embodiment, a filter assembly for filtering washfluid in a dishwasher appliance is provided. The filter assemblyincludes an outer body defining an interior and an inlet port andextending along a longitudinal axis between a first upstream end and asecond downstream end. The filter assembly further includes an innerbody disposed radially inward of the outer body and at least partiallywithin the interior of the outer body. The inner body defines aninterior and an outlet port. The inner body includes a filter portionand a solid body portion. The filter portion positioned upstream of thesolid body portion in a flow direction along the longitudinal axis. Aninlet flow path defined by the inlet port is non-parallel to thelongitudinal axis.

In accordance with another embodiment, a dishwasher appliance defining avertical direction is provided. The dishwasher appliance includes a tubdefining a wash chamber, a sump positioned at a bottom portion of thetub along the vertical direction, a circulation pump for circulating awash fluid in the sump to the wash chamber, at least one spray assemblydisposed within the wash chamber for receiving wash fluid from thecirculation pump, and a filter assembly. The filter assembly includes anouter body defining an interior and an inlet port and extending along alongitudinal axis between a first upstream end and a second downstreamend. The filter assembly further includes an inner body disposedradially inward of the outer body and at least partially within theinterior of the outer body. The inner body defines an interior and anoutlet port. The inner body includes a filter portion and a solid bodyportion. The filter portion is positioned upstream of the solid bodyportion in a flow direction along the longitudinal axis. An inlet flowpath defined by the inlet port is non-parallel to the longitudinal axis.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the presentinvention will become better understood with reference to the followingdescription and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which areincorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrateembodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serveto explain the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including thebest mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is setforth in the specification, which makes reference to the appendedfigures.

FIG. 1 provides a front elevation view of a dishwasher appliance inaccordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 provides a side, sectional view of the exemplary dishwasherappliance of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 provides a perspective view of a filter assembly in accordancewith embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 provides a perspective sectional view of a filter assembly inaccordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 provides a side sectional view of a filter assembly in accordancewith embodiments of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 6 provides an end sectional view of a filter assembly in accordancewith embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention,one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Eachexample is provided by way of explanation of the invention, notlimitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be madein the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit ofthe invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as partof one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a stillfurther embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present inventioncovers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of theappended claims and their equivalents.

As used herein, the terms “first”, “second”, “third”, “fourth”, etc. maybe used interchangeably to distinguish one component from another andare not intended to signify location or importance of the individualcomponents.

FIGS. 1 and 2 depict a dishwasher appliance 100 according to anexemplary embodiment of the present subject matter. FIG. 1 provides afront view of the exemplary dishwasher appliance 100, and FIG. 2provides a side, sectional view of the exemplary dishwasher appliance100.

As shown, dishwasher appliance 100 defines a vertical direction V andincludes a cabinet 102. Cabinet 102 has a tub 104 therein that defines awash chamber 106. The tub 104 also defines a front opening (not shown).Dishwasher appliance 100 includes a door 120 hinged at a bottom 122 ofdoor 120 for movement between a normally closed, vertical position(shown in FIGS. 1 and 2), wherein wash chamber 106 is sealed shut forwashing operation, and a horizontal, open position for loading andunloading of articles from dishwasher appliance 100. A latch 123 is usedto lock and unlock door 120 for access to wash chamber 106. Tub 104 alsoincludes a sump assembly 170 shown schematically positioned adjacent abottom portion 112 of tub 104 and configured for receipt of a liquidwash fluid (e.g., water, detergent, wash fluid, and/or any othersuitable fluid) during operation of dishwasher appliance 100. Moreparticularly, sump assembly 170 is shown attached to a bottom wall 142of tub 104. As will be explained in greater detail below, the exemplarydishwasher appliance 100 may further include a filter assembly (notshown), such as a filter assembly 204 (see FIG. 3), disposed within sumpassembly 170.

Rack assemblies 130 and 132 are slidably mounted within wash chamber106. Each of the rack assemblies 130 and 132 is fabricated into latticestructures including a plurality of elongated members 134. Each rack ofthe rack assemblies 130 and 132 is adapted for movement between anextended loading position (not shown) in which the rack is substantiallypositioned outside the wash chamber 106, and a retracted position (shownin FIGS. 1 and 2) in which the rack is located inside the wash chamber106. A silverware basket (not shown) may be removably attached to rackassembly 132 for placement of silverware, utensils, and the like, thatare otherwise too small to be accommodated by the racks 130 and 132.

Dishwasher appliance 100 further includes one or more spray assemblies.For example, dishwasher appliance 100 further includes a lower sprayassembly 144 that is rotatably mounted within a lower region 146 of thewash chamber 106 and above sump assembly 170 so as to rotate inrelatively close proximity to rack assembly 132. A mid-level sprayassembly 148 is located in an upper region of the wash chamber 106 andmay be located in close proximity to upper rack 130. Additionally, anupper spray assembly 150 may be located above the upper rack 130.

The lower and mid-level spray assemblies 144 and 148 and the upper sprayassembly 150 are fed by a fluid circulation assembly 152 for circulatingwater and/or dishwasher fluid (collectively, “wash fluid”) in the tub104. Fluid circulation assembly 152 may include a wash or circulationpump 154 and a cross-flow/drain pump 156 located in a machinerycompartment 140 located below sump assembly 170 of the tub 104, asgenerally recognized in the art. Cross-flow/drain pump 156 is configuredfor urging wash fluid within sump assembly 170 out of tub 104 anddishwasher appliance 100 to a drain 158. Circulation pump 154 isconfigured to provide a flow of recirculated wash fluid to tub 104 andwash chamber 106. More particularly, circulation pump 154 is configuredfor supplying a flow of wash fluid from sump assembly 170 to sprayassemblies 144, 148 and 150 via a plurality of circulation conduits (notlabeled).

Each spray assembly 144 and 148 includes an arrangement of dischargeports or nozzles for directing wash fluid onto dishes or other articleslocated in rack assemblies 130 and 132. The arrangement of the dischargeports in spray assemblies 144 and 148 provides a rotational force byvirtue of wash fluid flowing through the discharge ports. The resultantrotation of the lower spray assembly 144 provides coverage of dishes andother dishwasher contents with a spray of wash fluid.

Dishwasher appliance 100 is further equipped with a controller 137(shown in phantom) to regulate operation of the dishwasher appliance100. Controller 137 may include a memory and microprocessor, such as ageneral or special purpose microprocessor operable to executeprogramming instructions or micro-control code associated with acleaning cycle. The memory may represent random access memory such asDRAM, or read only memory such as ROM or FLASH. In one embodiment, theprocessor executes programming instructions stored in memory. The memorymay be a separate component from the processor or may be includedonboard within the processor. Alternatively, controller 137 may beconstructed without using a microprocessor, e.g., using a combination ofdiscrete analog and/or digital logic circuitry (such as switches,amplifiers, integrators, comparators, flip-flops, AND gates, and thelike) to perform control functionality instead of relying upon software.

Controller 137 may be positioned in a variety of locations throughoutdishwasher appliance 100. In the illustrated embodiment, controller 137may be located within a control panel area 121 of door 120 as shown. Insuch an embodiment, input/output (“I/O”) signals may be routed betweenthe control system and various operational components of dishwasherappliance 100 along wiring harnesses that may be routed through thebottom 122 of door 120. Typically, controller 137 includes a userinterface 136 through which a user may select various operationalfeatures and modes and monitor progress of the dishwasher appliance 100.In one embodiment, user interface 136 may represent a general purposeI/O (“GPIO”) device or functional block. Additionally or alternatively,user interface 136 may include input components, such as one or more ofa variety of electrical, mechanical or electro-mechanical input devicesincluding rotary dials, push buttons, and touch pads. User interface 136may include a display component, such as a digital or analog displaydevice designed to provide operational feedback to a user. Userinterface 136 may be in communication with controller 137 via one ormore signal lines or shared communication busses.

It should be appreciated that the subject matter disclosed herein is notlimited to any particular style, model or configuration of dishwasherappliance, and that the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2 is forillustrative purposes only. For example, instead of the racks 130 and132 depicted in FIG. 1, dishwasher appliance 100 may be of a knownconfiguration that utilizes drawers that pull out from the cabinet andare accessible from the top for loading and unloading of articles.

Referring again to FIG. 2, the present disclosure is further directed toa filter assembly 200 for filtering liquid in a dishwasher appliance100. In exemplary embodiments as shown, the filter assembly 200 is onthe discharge side of the circulation pump 154, and thus disposedbetween and in fluid communication between the circulation pump 154 andone or more spray assemblies 144, 148, 150 along a flow path of washfluid from the circulation pump 154 to the spray assemblies 144, 148,150. Accordingly, wash fluid discharged from the circulation pump 154may be flowed through the filter assembly 200 before being provided tothe spray assemblies 144, 148, 150. Further, in exemplary embodiments,the filter assembly 200 may be a passive filter assembly having allstationary, non-moving parts. Filter assemblies 200 in accordance withthe present disclosure may advantageously filter 100% of the wash fluidflowing therethrough. Further, filter assemblies 200 in accordance withthe present disclosure may advantageously include features which reduceclogging issues during operation of the dishwasher appliance 100.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 through 6, embodiments of a filter assembly 200in accordance with the present disclosure are provided. As shown, filterassembly 200 includes an outer body 202 and an inner body 204.

The outer body 202 may be a generally solid outer body, and may beformed as an integral, unitary component or as an assembly of aplurality of components. Outer body 202 may define an interior 210, andmay extend between a first end 212 and a second end 214 along alongitudinal direction 216. The first end 212 may be an upstream end andthe second end 214 may be a downstream end relative to the flow of washfluid along the longitudinal axis 216 within interior 210. A first endwall 222 may be provided at the first end 212, and a second end wall 224may be provided at the second end 214. The walls 222, 224 may, forexample, be flat walls. The outer body 202 may extend between andinclude these walls 222, 224.

The outer body 202 may be at least partially cylindrical. For example,in some embodiments, the outer body 202 may be entirely generallycylindrical between the first end wall 222 and the second end wall 224.Alternatively, as shown, the outer body 202 may include a first upstreamportion 232 and a second portion 234 downstream of the first upstreamportion in the flow direction of wash fluid along the longitudinal axis216. In some embodiments, the second portion 234 may be a second medialportion and the outer body 202 may further include a third downstreamportion 236 which is downstream of both the first portion 232 and secondportion 234 in the flow direction of wash fluid along the longitudinalaxis 216. The second medial portion 234 may be between and connected tothe first and third portions 232, 236. The first portion 232 may, forexample, include the first end 212. The third portion 236 (oralternatively the second portion 234) may include the second end 214. Insome embodiments, the first upstream portion 232 may be cylindrical. Insome embodiments, the third downstream portion 236 may be cylindrical.Further, in some embodiments, the third downstream portion 236 may havea maximum outer diameter that is greater than a maximum outer diameterof the first upstream portion 232. In some embodiments, the secondmedial portion 234 may taper between the first upstream portion 232 andthe third downstream portion 236, such as from the third downstreamportion 236 to the first upstream portion 232. In some embodiments, suchtaper may be a curved taper, as shown. Alternatively, such taper may bea linear.

As shown, an inlet port 240 may be defined in the outer body 202. Theinlet port 240 may be an opening in the outer body 202 through whichwash fluid is inlet into the interior 210 of the outer body 202, i.e.from the circulation pump 154. Accordingly, an inlet flow path 242 forwash fluid entering the interior 210 through the inlet port 240 may bedefined by the inlet port 240. Advantageously, the inlet port 240 may beoriented such that the inlet flow path 242 is non-parallel to thelongitudinal axis 216. For example, in exemplary embodiments, the inletflow path 242 may be perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 216, such aswithin 20 degrees of perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 216, such aswithin 10 degrees of perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 216, such aswithin 5 degrees of perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 216. Theinlet port 240 may, for example, be provided proximate the first end 212and distal from the second end 214. For example, the inlet port 240 maybe provided in or in fluid communication with the first upstream portion232.

A drain port 244 may be defined in the outer body 202. The drain port244 may be an opening in the outer body 202 through which wash fluid isexhausted from the interior 210 of the outer body 202. In particular,the wash fluid exhausted through the drain port 244 may include soilthat is prevented from being recirculated by a filter of the filterassembly 200 as discussed herein. The drain port 244 may thus be influid communication with the drain 158 and/or drain pump 156, such thatwash fluid exhausted from the filter assembly 200 through the drain port244 is provided to the drain 158 and/or drain pump 156. Accordingly, adrain flow path 246 for wash fluid exiting the interior 210 through thedrain port 244 may be defined by the drain port 244. Advantageously, thedrain port 244 may be oriented such that the drain flow path 246 isnon-parallel to the longitudinal axis 216. For example, in exemplaryembodiments, the drain flow path 246 may be perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis 216, such as within 20 degrees of perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis 216, such as within 10 degrees of perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis 216, such as within 5 degrees of perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis 216. The drain port 244 may, for example, be providedproximate the second end 214 and distal from the first end 212. Forexample, the drain port 244 may be provided in or in fluid communicationwith the third downstream portion 236.

As discussed, the filter assembly 200 may further include an inner body204. Inner body 204 may be disposed radially inward of the outer body202, as shown, such that at least a portion of the inner body 204 isprovided within the interior 210 of the outer body 202. Inner body 204may define an interior 250, and may extend along the longitudinal axis216 between a first upstream end 252 and a second downstream end 254. Insome embodiments, the inner body 204 may be radially centrally locatedrelative to the outer body 202, such that the inner body 204 and outerbody 202 are generally co-axial with respect to the longitudinal axis216.

The first upstream end 252 of the inner body 204 may be disposed withinthe interior 210 of the outer body 202. For example, the first upstreamend 252 may be connected to the first upstream end 212 of the outer body202, such as connected to the first end wall 222. The second downstreamend 254 may be disposed within the interior 210 of the outer body 202,such as in alignment with the second downstream end 214, oralternatively may external to the outer body 202 as shown, such asdownstream of the second downstream end 254 in the flow direction ofwash fluid along the longitudinal axis 216.

Inner body 204 may include a filter portion 260 and a solid body portion270. The filter portion 260 is a portion of the inner body 204 that actsas a filter by allowing wash fluid therethrough from interior 210surrounding the inner body 204 into interior 250 while preventing soilparticles larger than the size of filter apertures 262 of the filterportion 260 to flow into the interior 250. As shown, filter portion 260thus includes a plurality of filter apertures 262 defined in a substrate264 of the filter portion 260. Filter apertures 262 may have anysuitable sizes. For example, in some embodiments, a diameter of eachfilter aperture 262 may be between 100 microns and 800 microns, such asbetween 120 microns and 700 microns, such as between 140 microns and 600microns, such as between 150 microns and 500 microns.

The solid body portion 270 is a portion of the inner body 204 formedfrom a solid substrate that does not allow wash fluid therethrough, asshown. As shown, the filter portion 260 may be positioned upstream ofthe solid body portion 270 in the flow direction of wash fluid along thelongitudinal axis 216. The filter portion 260 may, for example, includethe first upstream end 252. The solid body portion 270 may, for example,include the second downstream end 254. The filter portion 260 and solidbody portion 270 may be connected (i.e. directly connected) and in fluidcommunication such that wash fluid entering the interior 250 through thefilter portion 260 flows in the interior 260 from the filter portion 260to the solid body portion 270.

In some embodiments, the inner body 202 (and thus the filter portion 260and solid body portion 270 thereof) is cylindrical. Alternatively, othersuitable shapes may be utilized.

As, shown, an outlet port 280 may be defined in the inner body 204. Theoutlet port 280 may be an opening in the inner body 204 through whichwash fluid, and more specifically filtered wash fluid having been flowedthrough filter portion 260, is exhausted from the interior 250 of theinner body 204. In particular, the wash fluid exhausted through theoutlet port 280 is filtered wash fluid to be recirculated withinappliance 100. The outlet port 280 may thus be in fluid communicationwith the spray assemblies, such that wash fluid flowed from outlet port280 is flowed to the spray assemblies. Accordingly, an outlet flow path282 for wash fluid exiting the interior 250 may be defined by the outletport 280. The outlet port 280 may be oriented such that the outlet flowpath 282 is parallel to the longitudinal axis 216, such as within 20degrees of parallel to the longitudinal axis 216, such as within 10degrees of parallel to the longitudinal axis 216, such as within 5degrees of parallel to the longitudinal axis 216. The outlet port 280may, for example, be defined in the second end 254 and by the solid bodyportion 270, as shown.

FIGS. 4 through 6 illustrate the flow path of wash fluid through filterassembly 200. As shown, wash fluid flows into filter assembly 200through inlet port 240 along inlet flow path 242. Such flow path isnon-parallel to the longitudinal axis 216, and causes a non-longitudinalflow component 290 within interior 210. This flow component 290, whichmay include a circumferential portion around the inner body 204 as wellas radial portions through the filter apertures 262, may cause washfluid to be filtered by filter portion 260 while also preventing soilfrom becoming stagnant on and clogging the filter portion 260. This soilmay further be flowed via a longitudinal flow component 292 along thelongitudinal axis 216 within the interior 210, and may then be exhaustedfrom the interior 210 through the drain port 244 along the drain flowpath 246. Wash fluid flowed through the filter portion 260 into theinterior 250 may be flowed via the longitudinal flow component 292 alongthe longitudinal axis 216 within the interior 250, and may then beexhausted from the interior 250 through the outlet port 280.

Accordingly, filter assemblies 200 in accordance with the presentdisclosure advantageously provide reduced clogging. Additionally, filterassemblies 200 in accordance with the present disclosure areadvantageous due to the filtering of 100% of the wash fluid that isexhausted for recirculation via the outlet port 280.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention,including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in theart to practice the invention, including making and using any devices orsystems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope ofthe invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examplesthat occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intendedto be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elementsthat do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if theyinclude equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differencesfrom the literal languages of the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A filter assembly for filtering wash fluid in adishwasher appliance, the filter assembly comprising: an outer bodydefining an interior and an inlet port and extending along alongitudinal axis between a first upstream end and a second downstreamend; and an inner body disposed radially inward of the outer body and atleast partially within the interior of the outer body, the inner bodydefining an interior and an outlet port, the inner body comprising afilter portion and a solid body portion, the filter portion positionedupstream of the solid body portion in a flow direction along thelongitudinal axis, wherein an inlet flow path defined by the inlet portis non-parallel to the longitudinal axis.
 2. The filter assembly ofclaim 1, wherein the inlet flow path is perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis.
 3. The filter assembly of claim 1, wherein the innerbody is cylindrical.
 4. The filter assembly of claim 1, wherein theouter body is at least partially cylindrical.
 5. The filter assembly ofclaim 1, wherein the outer body comprises a first upstream portion, asecond medial portion, and a third downstream portion, the first andthird portions being cylindrical, the second portion tapering from thethird portion to the first portion.
 6. The filter assembly of claim 1,wherein the inner body extends along the longitudinal axis between afirst upstream end and a second downstream end, the first upstream endof the inner body connected to the first upstream end of the outer body,the second downstream end of the inner body defining the outlet port. 7.The filter assembly of claim 6, wherein the second downstream end of theinner body is external to the outer body.
 8. The filter assembly ofclaim 1, wherein a drain port is defined in the outer body.
 9. Thefilter assembly of claim 8, wherein a drain flow path defined by thedrain port is non-parallel to the longitudinal axis.
 10. A dishwasherappliance defining a vertical direction, the dishwasher appliancecomprising: a tub defining a wash chamber; a sump positioned at a bottomportion of the tub along the vertical direction; a circulation pump forcirculating a wash fluid in the sump to the wash chamber; at least onespray assembly disposed within the wash chamber for receiving wash fluidfrom the circulation pump; and a filter assembly, the filter assemblycomprising: an outer body defining an interior and an inlet port andextending along a longitudinal axis between a first upstream end and asecond downstream end; and an inner body disposed radially inward of theouter body and at least partially within the interior of the outer body,the inner body defining an interior and an outlet port, the inner bodycomprising a filter portion and a solid body portion, the filter portionpositioned upstream of the solid body portion in a flow direction alongthe longitudinal axis, wherein an inlet flow path defined by the inletport is non-parallel to the longitudinal axis.
 11. The dishwasherappliance of claim 10, wherein the filter assembly is disposed betweenthe circulation pump and the at least one spray assembly along a flowpath of wash fluid from the circulation pump to the at least one sprayassembly.
 12. The dishwasher appliance of claim 10, wherein the inletflow path is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.
 13. The dishwasherappliance of claim 10, wherein the inner body is cylindrical.
 14. Thedishwasher appliance of claim 10, wherein the outer body is at leastpartially cylindrical.
 15. The dishwasher appliance of claim 10, whereinthe outer body comprises a first upstream portion, a second medialportion, and a third downstream portion, the first and third portionsbeing cylindrical, the second portion tapering from the third portion tothe first portion.
 16. The dishwasher appliance of claim 10, wherein theinner body extends along the longitudinal axis between a first upstreamend and a second downstream end, the first upstream end of the innerbody connected to the first upstream end of the outer body, the seconddownstream end of the inner body defining the outlet port.
 17. Thedishwasher appliance of claim 16, wherein the second downstream end ofthe inner body is external to the outer body.
 18. The dishwasherappliance of claim 10, wherein a drain port is defined in the outerbody.
 19. The dishwasher appliance of claim 18, wherein a drain flowpath defined by the drain port is non-parallel to the longitudinal axis.